(EASTLAKE, Ohio) — 

On a brisk early April afternoon at Classic Park in Eastlake, the Lake Erie College baseball team faced off with visiting Kentucky Wesleyan. In the first game, Kentucky Wesleyan came out on top, 7-2. And in the second contest, the Panthers once again bested the Storm, this time to the tune of 8-6.

GAME 1

Being the first home game for the Storm for the 2021 season, this game brought with it added anticipation and excitement for what lay ahead. Lake Erie, who was 3-12 on the season heading into the game, started junior pitcher Tyler Bryant on the hill for Game 1, going up against a talented Panthers offense that was 7-3 itself. And overall, Bryant pitched quite well, going 7.0 innings and only allowing one run on one hit, striking out 11.

The Storm got out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning, following a Nate Birtley sacrifice fly and then a Jesse Barrios RBI single to right field. But that would be the only scoring that Lake Erie did for the rest of this one, as Panthers starter Devin Smith settled in, striking out a total of 10 batters in six innings, before turning the ball over to reliever Bo Robison, who got the win by pitching a scoreless final three innings on only one hit.

However, for the Storm, the problem that has plagued them all season reared its ugly head once more in this game: bullpen troubles. After Chase Tompkins allowed one run in one inning of work, left hander Ryan Lally came in to pitch the ninth for Lake Erie. However, five runs scored on Lally's watch, and he ended up with the loss.

Third baseman Jesse Barrios ended up going 2-4 with a walk and an RBI in this one. But overall, the Storm were antsy to put this one behind them and hopefully fare better in Game 2.

GAME 2

Being the second game of a doubleheader and thus only seven innings in duration rather than nine, head coach Gary Vaught had a slightly different approach for this game compared to Game 1. Primarily, that involved starting pitcher Ryan Middendorf, who wound up staying in the game for all seven innings, despite the fact that he was facing constant struggles to get outs.

The game started out with Kentucky Wesleyan going on a 5-0 run in the first 1.5 innings, thanks in part to multiple doubles, as well as multiple miscues by the Storm defense. But Lake Erie came roaring back to life in the bottom of the second inning, as right fielder Eddie Morris and catcher Scott Fernald each knocked in RBI singles, before Nate Birtley had a sacrifice fly to center himself.

That would cease the scoring until the sixth, when the Panthers put three more runs on the board, thanks to two singles and a passed ball. The Storm would come somewhat close to mounting a comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning, as left fielder Luis Vergara-Schoonewolff hit a two-RBI double to right-center, before Eddie Morris brought him home on an RBI single. But Panthers reliever Rylan Thomas would come in to shut the door on the Storm, and he did just that, earning himself a save in Kentucky Wesleyan's 8-6 victory. Starting pitcher CJ Fairchild got the win.

Ryan Middendorf was given the loss in this one, as he was the only pitcher used by the Storm. He would allow seven earned runs and 10 hits, striking out six.

Now these two teams plan to regroup and come back Saturday to do it all over again, as another doubleheader is scheduled. The first game is set to begin at 12:00 p.m. EST.